BEST BET: Winter poetry slam in Encinitas

ENCINITAS ---- Poetry by moonlight. What could be nicer? A
poetry confab in the comfort of a theater. That's the plan, at
least, for this evening's semi-annual La Paloma Theatre Poetry
Slam.

Hosted by Full Moon Poets, the event at 6 p.m. Feb. 28 will
feature 17 wordsmiths vying for local fame, applause and a cash
prize.

The rules this year are the same as in the past. Poets should
arrive by 5:15 p.m. to register and will need to bring three
original poems, each no longer than three minutes. No props or
recorded musical accompaniment will be allowed, and poets under the
age of 18 will need a parent's signature. All poets who have
entered by 6 p.m. will have their names put into a popcorn bucket,
and the first 17 names drawn will be allowed to perform.

Poets will be judged on a scale of 1 to 10 for poetic
craftsmanship and performance style. The five-judge panel will pare
the competitors in three elimination rounds, with just three
finalists competing in the third round. The event, this year emceed
by Swami Bruce, typically runs around 2 1/2 hours. Because of adult
content in some of the poems, the slam is not recommended for young
children, and pets are not allowed.

Admission to the poetry slam is free, but donations will be
collected toward the first-place cash prize. The Slam, co-sponsored
by the 101 Artists' Colony, is held at the La Paloma Theatre, 471
S. Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas. Visit www.fullmoonpoets.org.